Phillies designate Young for assignment

August 09, 2013

The moment Darin Ruf's name appeared in the lineup as the Phillies starting right fielder earlier this week, I had a feeling this was a possibility --- the team designated Delmon Young for assignment to make room for outfielder Casper Wells on the 25-man roster.

Good move. Young wasn't going to be a part of this team next year and he wasn't doing much to help them now.

Young, signed in the offseason as a free agent, started the year on the disabled list after having microfracture surgery on his ankle. He's been a disappointment since he was activated.

The former first overall pick by the Rays in 2003 draft, Young hit only .261 this year. He came into the season with a career .284 batting average from 2006-2012.

Young was brought on board to provide some pop from the right side, but he had just eight home runs and 31 RBIs in 80 games for the Phillies this year. It's the same number of home runs that Erik Kratz has in 100 fewer at-bats.

My best guess is that you'll see a mixture of names in right field from here on out. I'm sure Ruf will be there sometimes, Wells and possibly John Mayberry Jr. if manager Charlie Manuel puts Wells or Michael Martinez in center field.

Based upon things Manuel said earlier in the week, it doesn't sound like Dom Brown will play in right field much, if at all. Although Brown said he's equally comfortable in both corner outfield spots.